9 Federal Way Public Schools teachers earn national certification

The teachers were celebrated at the Federal Way Public Schools board meeting last month.

Federal Way Public Schools celebrated its 2022 cohort of National Board Certified Teachers at a school board meeting last month.

National Board Certification is one of the highest certifications teachers can achieve. It is considered the “gold standard” in teacher certification.

The board’s high and rigorous standards measure what teachers should know and do to provide high-quality instruction and learning for their students.

Congratulations to the following teachers for achieving this certification:

  • Lesley Elijah Rasmussen, Federal Way High School, certified in Mathematics, Adolescence and Young Adulthood
  • Jessica Goakey, Thomas Jefferson High School, certified in English Language Arts, Adolescence and Young Adulthood
  • Samantha Isaacs, Federal Way High School, certified in Mathematics, Adolescence and Young Adulthood
  • Julia Pollastro, Federal Way High School, certified in Mathematics, Adolescence and Young Adulthood
  • Lauren Sealey, Lakota Middle School, certified in English Language Arts, Early Adolescence
  • Stephen Sealey, Lakota Middle School, certified in English Language Arts, Early Adolescence
  • Kiley Stasch, Valhalla Elementary School, certified in Generalist, Early Childhood
  • Sarah Winakur, Woodmont K-8, Generalist, certified in Middle Childhood
  • Emily Yumo, Mark Twain Elementary School, certified in Generalist, Middle Childhood

According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, students of Board-certified teachers “learn more than their peers without Board-certified teachers. Studies have also found that the positive impact of having a Board-certified teacher is even greater for BIPOC and low-income students.”

The district said Board-certified teachers are an asset to school communities as they strengthen scholars’ learning by facilitating high levels of academic achievement, take on instructional leadership roles and support other teachers.

Federal Way Public Schools is proud of our teachers’ achievements and commitment to advancing student learning and success.